Nutritious and Savory Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) Recipe
Nutritious and Savory Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim) Recipe
The Perfect Sweet & Salty Braised Tofu!
When you’re in need of a quick and delicious side dish, try making this flavorful braised tofu with ingredients readily available at any grocery store. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover vegetables and create a meal that’s both healthy and satisfying.
Main Ingredients- 1 block firm tofu (approx. 300g)
- 1 stalk green onion
- 1/2 onion
- 1/5 carrot
Braising Sauce- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp oligo-dang (corn syrup) or rice syrup
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp anchovy sauce (optional, for umami boost!)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 100ml water
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp oligo-dang (corn syrup) or rice syrup
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp anchovy sauce (optional, for umami boost!)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 100ml water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your vegetables. Thinly slice the onion and carrot into matchsticks. Slice the green onion diagonally into bite-sized pieces (about 5-6 cm long). Cut the tofu into uniform rectangles, about 1.5 to 2 cm thick. Gently pat the tofu dry with paper towels; this helps prevent oil splattering and results in a crispier sear.
Step 2
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Carefully place the tofu slices into the hot oil and pan-fry them until golden brown and firm on both sides. Frying the tofu until it’s slightly crispy will help it hold its shape beautifully when braised.
Step 3
Continue to fry the tofu, ensuring all sides develop a nice golden hue. Patience here is key to a delicious result! Once golden brown and firm, set the fried tofu aside on a plate.
Step 4
While the tofu is frying, let’s make the braising sauce. In a bowl, combine gochugaru, minced garlic, oligo-dang, soy sauce, sesame oil, and anchovy sauce (if using). Mix well. Set aside about half of the sliced green onion to use as a garnish later, and add the other half to the sauce mixture. You can also add toasted sesame seeds to the sauce.
Step 5
Now it’s time to assemble and braise. In a ttukbaegi (Korean earthenware pot) or a regular pot, arrange the sliced onions at the bottom. The onions will soften and release sweetness as they cook, helping the tofu absorb the flavors.
Step 6
Next, carefully place the pan-fried tofu slices over the layer of onions.
Step 7
Spoon the prepared braising sauce evenly over the tofu. Try to distribute it across the tofu pieces rather than pouring it all in one spot.
Step 8
Arrange the julienned carrots and the remaining sliced onions on top of the tofu.
Step 9
Add the remaining pan-fried tofu slices on top of the vegetables. (If you have extra tofu, you can add it here.)
Step 10
Finally, top everything with the reserved green onions. Pour in 100ml of water, pouring it gently around the edges of the pot. Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the tofu has absorbed the flavors. Baste the tofu with the sauce occasionally by tilting the pot or spooning the sauce over it. The dish is ready when the sauce is nicely reduced and has coated the tofu. Serve hot with a bowl of rice. Enjoy!
